University of Galway

Course Module Information

Course Modules

Semester 1 | Credits: 5

To provide a theoretical underpinning for the research process; to encourage a systematic approach to research; and to develop practical research skills. It aims to provide insight into the range of qualitative methodologies (ethnographical and case study research) available to the researcher and to develop participants’ practical research skills in the design, conduct and analysis of qualitative research. It also aims to provide an insight into quantitative methodologies, particularly in experimental and survey research. It explores the issues of research design, sampling, data collection and analysis involved in quantitative methodologies. It highlights important data validity and reliability issues, as well as several ethical issues that can arise. Buntaca teoiriciúil a sholáthar don phróiseas taighde; cur chuige córasach i leith taighde a spreagadh; agus scileanna taighde praiticiúla a fhorbairt. Tá sé mar aidhm aige léargas a thabhairt ar an raon modheolaíochtaí cáilíochtúla (taighde eitneagrafaíochta agus cás-staidéir) atá ar fáil don taighdeoir agus scileanna taighde praiticiúla na rannpháirtithe a fhorbairt maidir le taighde cáilíochtúil a dhearadh, a stiúradh agus a anailísiú. Tá sé mar aidhm aige freisin léargas a thabhairt ar mhodheolaíochtaí cainníochtúla, go háirithe i dtaighde turgnamhach agus suirbhé. Scrúdaíonn sé na saincheisteanna a bhaineann le dearadh taighde, sampláil, bailiú sonraí agus anailís a bhaineann le modheolaíochtaí cainníochtúla. Leagann sé béim ar shaincheisteanna bailíochta agus iontaofachta sonraí, chomh maith le roinnt saincheisteanna eiticiúla a d'fhéadfadh teacht chun cinn.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Define their research question(s) / A gceist(eanna) taighde a shainiú.
  2. Select (and justify their choice of) an appropriate research methodology / Modheolaíocht taighde chuí a roghnú (agus a rogha a chosaint).
  3. Select (and justify their choice of) data collection methods / Modhanna bailithe sonraí a roghnú (agus a rogha a chosaint).
  4. Design qualitative and quantitative data collection instruments / Uirlisí bailithe sonraí cáilíochtúla agus cainníochtúla a dhearadh.
  5. Analyse qualitative and quantitative data using appropriate techniques / Anailís a dhéanamh ar shonraí cáilíochtúla agus cainníochtúla ag úsáid teicnící cuí.
  6. Identify and incorporate appropriate ethical procedures to the research process / Nósanna imeachta eiticiúla cuí a shainaithint agus a úsáid sa phróiseas taighde.
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "Doing your Research Project: a guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social science" by Bell, J
    Publisher: Open University Press
  2. "Social research methods" by Bryman, A.
    Publisher: Oxford University Press
  3. "Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches" by Creswell, J.
    Publisher: CA: Sage
The above information outlines module AT130: "Modheolaíochtaí Taighde / Research Methodology" and is valid from 2022 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.